The Cape Hatteras United Methodist Men (CHUMM) recently detailed the organization’s achievements during its 45th year of operation in a “Year in Review” update sent to members, friends, and supporters.
In 2023, CHUMM helped many families with food, rent, utilities, medical costs, and other emergency needs. Most requests for emergency and humanitarian assistance originate with the Dare County Department of Social Services (DCSS) and are then forwarded to CHUMM. In addition, Hatteras Island Meals (HIM) also reports to CHUMM for assistance with the needs of their senior clients.
Here are just a few examples of the assistance that CHUMM provided in 2023:
- Served over 125 families (300+ people) monthly from their food pantry.
- Paid the rent and/or utilities for families with temporary financial crises.
- Restored heating and air conditioning for families without the means to do so.
- Purchased or provided good, used appliances for several individuals. Some examples: a grandmother keeping four grandchildren who only had a microwave for cooking; a grandmother undergoing cancer treatment, who loves to cook, but couldn’t fix her traditional Thanksgiving meal for lack of a working stove; and an elderly woman with only a clothesline for drying clothes.
- Paid dental bills for several individuals who were suffering from dental issues but couldn’t afford treatment.
- Repaired leaking roofs, HVAC, plumbing, electrical, and other problems for many in need.
- Paid the copay and travel expenses for a senior woman to receive eye surgery that restored the sight in one of her eyes.
- Purchased tires and paid for auto repairs for a working single mom whose car was unsafe and had failed inspection.
- Restored a donated vehicle and helped purchase another for two separate families desperate for a means of transportation.
This past year, CHUMM also began another important community project: installing outdoor electric lifts to help those who are housebound because they can no longer safely use the outdoor stairs at their elevated homes.
Wheelchair ramps for lifted houses are not practical since many would need to be more than 100 feet long with several switchbacks. Besides being expensive to build, ramps are difficult to use and maintain. As an alternative, CHUMM began installing outdoor electric lifts.
“We recently completed our eighth installation,” stated Director Dennis Carroll in the update. “These lifts have been life-changing for some, as expressed by one recipient: ‘Wow, I’m so excited now, this thing is wonderful! I guess you have some idea how much difference it makes for me, but you’ll never understand how much gratitude and love I have for all who had a part in it. Thank you, thank you, thank you.'”
CHUMM will be celebrating its 46th year of service in 2024, and donations and support are continually needed on a local level to keep all CHUMM initiatives going strong
The public can donate via the organization’s website at https://www.hatterasmethodistmen.org/, and supporters can also donate by mail. Checks should be written to “United Methodist Men” and mailed to Cape Hatteras United Methodist Men, P.O Box 1591, Buxton, NC 27920.
